Profile: Skyline’s Evan McKelvey heading out to sea with pride and potential at his side
Skyline’s Evan McKelvey says he recently started learning about programming and computer science. He may be a fish out of water at this point when it comes to his latest endeavor, but if his longest endeavor is any indication, he will soon be logging on to plenty of success.
Success is something McKelvey has enjoyed plenty of during his young life, especially in the water. The senior is among not only the best swimmers in Ann Arbor – and that’s saying something – but is among the elite in the state – and that’s saying even more. And he’s just getting started – in computer science, swimming and life.
“Evan brings a fabulous vibe to our team,” says Skyline Coach Maureen Murrett. “He has set very high goals for himself and is doing all the right things to reach them. He is always the center of the storm whether it is joking on the pool deck or the toughest main set.”
Before we backstroke to the beginning or catch up to the present, let’s dive into the future. McKelvey, 18, will be heading to the U.S. Naval Academy when his high school days reach the final wall. And he’s looking forward to the next chapter.
“This year, I will be attending the United States Naval Academy,” he says, proudly. “I picked the Naval Academy because I want to give back and serve others to the best of my ability. I also wish to follow in the steps of my grandfather, who served in the Navy as a Captain. At Annapolis, I hope to walk-on to the swim team. Although it’ll be tough, I think that Plebe Summer will be just like summer camp (smiley face).”
Plebe Summer is a challenging six weeks of basic midshipmen training, during which time, plebes have no access to TV, movies, the internet or music, and restricted access to cellphones.
McKelvey’s current focus, like it has been in the past and will carry over to the future, is to be the best person, swimmer, student, son, friend he can be. “My foremost long-term goal for swimming is to achieve my fullest potential in the sport, however far that may be,” he says. “Other long-term goals include winning a state championship, swimming at Olympic Trials, etc.”
The “etc.” is where it gets interesting because whatever that ends up being he will be prepared to be the best at whatever it is.
Evan, 18, is the son of John and Nicole McKelvey. He has a 3.98 GPA and is a captain for both the swimming team and water polo team. He also has been swimming with Club Wolverine for five years and enjoys to read, work out, and hang out with friends.
He first became interested in swimming when his parents had him learn to swim at a young age.
“Ever since then, I’ve loved the sport, the community that surrounds it, and the friends I’ve made because of it,” he says. “Compared to other sports, I liked the clear-cut aspect of it: you hit a certain time, or you don’t.”
More times than not, he’s hit that certain time.
As a freshman, he swam on Skyline’s 200 free relay team at the State finals.
Then, he really took off.
“As I rolled into my sophomore year, my main goal was to make states on my own, which I accomplished,” he says. “Unfortunately, states didn’t happen that year due to Covid. Last year, I was excited to finally be able to swim at States. I ended up swimming the 200 free, 100 free, 200 free relay, and 400 free relay. I was pleased with how I finished, but I am hungry for more.”
McKelvey placed fifth in the 200 free and seventh in the 100 free. Skyline’s 200 free relay touched fourth and the 400 free relay was second at last year’s State Finals.
“My highlights thus far have been walking out to the 400 free relay at sophomore year SECs with “I Want it That Way” playing in the background; being the “hype man” for the team before meets; singing during morning practices with the team; etc.”
He says this year’s Skyline team has one goal – win it all.
“This year, our main goal is to win States,” he says. “After we wrapped the last season up, we knew that our team could only become better. We have worked diligently since then to make that goal a reality. However, this goal would not be possible without our incredible teammates and the friendships that follow. The Skyline team is incredibly close-knit, and we would not be where we are today without our friendships.”
McKelvey says as a captain, it’s his role to be an ambassador between the swimmers on the team and the coaches, as well as being a leader and role model to the other swimmers. “A captain is someone who gives pep talks to the team before meets, cheers on other’s successes, and who makes sure everyone completes 6 x 50s on 50 after every meet,” he says.
“Captain” seems to be the perfect moniker for someone heading out to see with an ocean full of promise and dreams.
All photos by Nicole McKelvey
